GM also believes the Qin and Tang are bought by "real people" Murray noted, perhaps meaning individual consumers as opposed to government employees.

"We think those cars can be better," Murray said.

While he did not make comparisons to any specific GM models, in the current context of the Chinese auto industry, that comment may nod to the idea that foreign automakers can still build inherently better cars than Chinese firms, Webb noted.

Demand is currently driven by government subsidies, Murray said, but even if those subsidies end he expects GM to still sell a significant amount of electrified cars in China to meet the country's strict fuel-economy standards.

GM plans to produce the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Buick LaCrosse Hybrid, and Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid sedans locally; the Cadillac will also be exported to the U.S.